Light tower



April i 1 s. G. S'II'RATTAN 2.237.202

LIGHT TOWER Filed April 25, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet l 68/ 5Zra2ian April 11941. s. e. STRATTAN.

LIGHT TOWER Filed April 25, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Z2 ll/ll April 1,1941. s. G. STRATTAN LIGHT TOWER Filed April 25, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 35'. a. 52mm Patented Apr. 1, 1941 UlTED STATS r LIGHT rowan.

Sibert G. Strattan, Mount Vernon, Ill. Application April 25, 1939,Serial No. 270,033

3 Claims.

base which may be connected to the standard by collapsible or removablebrace members.

A further object of this invention is to provide a stand or tower ofthis kind which is provided with releasable locking members adapted tohold the telescoping sections in extend-ed position so as to relieve theelevating means of the strain of supporting the stand sections inelevated or e. tended position.

To the above objects and to others which may hereinafter appear, theinvention consists of the novel construction,- combination andarrangement of parts as will be more specifically referred to andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodimentof the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, modificationsand variations may be resorted to which fall within the scope of theinvention as claimed.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a detail side elevation of a tower constructed according toan embodiment of this invention showing the tower in fully extendedposition,

Figure 2 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Figure1,

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section partly in elevationof the light supporting portion of the tower,

- Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical section of the lowerportion of the tower,

Figure 5 is a horizontal section of the upper portion of the tower,

Figure 6 is a fragmentary horizontal section of the lower portion of thetower in extended position,

' Figure 7 is a detail side elevation of the tower in collapsedposition,

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on the line 88 of Figure 2,

I Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on the line 9-9 of Figure 2, I

Figure 10 is a sectional View partly in elevation taken on the lineIll-l l] of Figure 2,

Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional View taken on the line Il-l l of Figure 2, and

Figure 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line l2l 2 ofFigure ,2.

Referring to the drawings, the numeral l5 designates generally astandard comprising a stationary lower section in the form of a tubularmember It, a shiftable intermediate section in the form of a tubularmember I! and a shiftable upper section in the form of a tubular memberl8. The member i6 is of larger diameter than the member H. The latter isof larger diameter 0 than the member l8. The member I! telescopes intothe member It. The member l8 telescopes within the member ll. The memberI! is extendible with respect to the member l6 and the member I3 isextendible with respect to the member H. The member [1 is provided atits lower end with a ring l9 which is fixed to the periphery of thetubular member I! and is adapted to slidably engage the inner surface ofthe lower member l6. member H at a point upwardly from the lower ring l9and these two rings l9 and constitute guide means for slidablysupporting the inter mediate member I? in the lower member I 6.

The member I8 is provided adjacent its lower end with a guiding ring 2|which is fixed to the tubular member is and a second guiding'ring 22 isfixed to the tubular member l8 upwardly from the lower ring 2 I. i

The stationary member I 6 is provided on the interior thereof at a pointupwardly from the lower end with a winding drum 23 which is secured to ashaft 24 extending diametrically across the lower member l6 andprojecting outwardly thereof. A crank 25 is adapted to be removablyengaged with either end of the shaft 24, the projecting ends of theshaft 24 being provided with squared faces for engagement with a nutsocket carried by the crank 25. The drum 23 at one side thereof isprovidedwith a ratchet 26 and a pivoted pawl 21 is adapted to engage theratchet 25. The pawl 21 is mounted on a shaft 28 and a handle 29projects exteriorly of the member through a slot readily held in lapsingof the the lower standard section l5. An elevating cable or flexiblemember 30 is wound about the drum 23 and extends upwardly within thetubular member It, being trained over a pulley or 29a so that the pawl21 maybe a released position to permit col- A second ring 20 is fixed tothe tubular standard sections I1 and I8 into sheave 3| which is carriedby a bracket supporting member 32 fixed to the upper end of the lowermember IS. A pulley or sheave 33 is rotatably carried by theintermediate. section or member adjacent the lower end thereof whichprojects through an opening 34 provided in a wall of the member H.

The elevating cable is extended downwardly from the pulley or sheave 3|and then trained about the pulley 33 and from there extends upwardlyinto the interior of the-intermediate section H. The ring l9 carried bythe intermediate section I1 is provided with a slot or recess 35 throughwhich the cable 30 extends and the ring 20 is provided with a similarslot or recess 36 through which the cable 30 extends. may also beprovided with a second slot 31 spaced from the slot 36 so that the runof the cable from the pulley 3| to the pulley 33 may freely pass-thering 20. The upper end of the intermediate section or member I1 isprovided with a pulley 38 rotatably carried by a bracket or bearingmember 39 and the cable 38 extends upwardly from the pulley 33 on theoutside of the upper member IS.

The ring 2| is provided with a slot or groove 48 through which the cable30 extends and the ring 22 is provided with a slot or groove 4| in whichthe cable 38 is slidable. The cable 30 is extended downwardly from thepulley 38 on the outside of the upper section or member I8 and is thenpassed through an opening 42 provided in the upper section or member l8between the two rings 2| and 22. The cable 38 is then anchored or fixedto the upper section or member I8 by clamping means 43. Through anelevating construction of this kind winding of the cable 38 on the drum23 will simultaneously raise the two sections I! and I8 to an extendedposition. The stationary lower section or member l6 adjacent the upperend thereof is provided with a set screw 44 which extends through areinforcing ring 45 provided on the upper end of the lower member I6 andthis set screw 44 is adapted to engage the upper ring 20 of theintermediate section I8 so as to prevent complete removal of theintermediate section The intermediate section or member H is provided atthe upper end thereof with a reinforcing ring 46 through which a stopmember 41 in the form of a set screw is adapted to engage. The set screwor stop member 41 is adapted to project into the interior of theintermediate section or member I! and engage the upper ring 22 of theupper member l8 so as to prevent complete withdrawal of the upper memberl8.

The stationary lower section or member l6 at a point adjacent the upperend thereof is provided with a spring-pressed holding dog 48 which ismounted between a pair of ears 49 fixed to the stationary lower sectionor member IS. A spring 50 is secured at one end to an eye 5| carried bythe dog 48 and at the other end to an eye 52 which is fixed to thereinforcing ring 45. A releasing cord 53 is secured at one end to theeye 5| and extends loosely downwardly on the outer side of thestationary lower section or member l6 so that the dog 48 may be swung toa released position to permit collapsing of the intermediate section ormember IT. The dog 48 when in operative position is adapted to engagebeneath the upper ring 20 so as to support the intermediate section ormember in its extended position.

The intermediate section or member H at a point adjacent the upper 1 endthereof is provided with a holding dog 54 which is rockably mounted be-The ring 20 r tween a pair of ears 55 fixed to the exterior of the,intermediate section or member H. The dog 54 is constantly urged to alocking position by means of a spring 58 which at one end engages an eye51 carried by the dog 54 and at the other end engages an eye 58 fixed tothe reinforcing ring 48. The dog 54 is adapted to engage beneath theupper guiding ring 22 carried by the upper section or member IS. Areleasing cord 58 is secured at one end to the eye 51 and extendsloosely downwardly on the exterior of the standard.

The stationary lower section or member l6 has secured thereto a ring orsleeve 68 by means of a bolt or fastening member 6|. A base plate 62 iswelded or otherwise fixed to the lower end of the sleeve and a pluralityof L-shaped angle members 63 are secured to the sleeve 60 and also tothe base plate 62. A plurality of collapsible base members or legsgenerally designted as 64 are pivotally secured between each pair ofangle members 63. The legs or base members 64 each comprises a pair ofoppositely disposed elongated angle members or bars 65 extendinginwardly at an inclination from their inner to their outer ends andwhich are held in spaced apart relation by means of connecting bars 66.The connecting bars or braces 66 are welded between each pair of anglemembers 65. A bolt 61 extends through one leg or side of each anglemember 65 and through a pair of angle members 63 so as to pivotallysecure the inner ends of the base or supporting members 55 to the anglemembers 63. A shoe or plate 68 is secured to the outer ends of each pairof angle members 65 being preferably welded to the lower horizontal sideof each angle member 65.

In the present instance, there are four of the base legs 54 and theselegs 64 are held ina substantially horizontal extended position by meansof brace members 69 in the form of elongated rods provided at theirlower ends with a right angularly disposed tubular member 10. A bolt llextends through the vertical side of each angle member 65 and throughthe tubular bracing portion 10 at a point adjacent the outer ends of theangle members 35. The upper end of each brace 69 is provided with an eye12 which is adapted to engage between a pair of ears 13 fixed to thelower standard member IS. A band 14 is welded or otherwise fixed to theoutside of the lower member I6 and the opposite ends of the band 14 arebent outwardly forming the ears 13. There are fourof these bands 14secured circumferentially about the lower member I6 at a point upwardlyfrom the lower end thereof. A bolt or fastening member 15 extendsthrough the ears l3 and through the eye 12 so as to releasably hold theupper ends of the bracing members 69 in operative position.

A light supporting'bracket generally designated as 16 is mounted on theupper end of the upper section or member i8 and comprises a ring orannular member 11, a hub or sleeve 18 and radially disposed spokes '|9connected to the hub or sleeve 18 and the annular member 11. The sleeve18 is adapted to loosely engage over the upper end of the upper memberl8 and is provided with a top wall having an opening 8|- through whichan upwardly extending bar 82 removably engages. The top wall 80 of thesleeve I8 is adapted to engage on the upper end of the tubular member 18and the bar 82 is adapted to extend downwardly through the opening 8|and may be locked by means of a cotter pin or other fastening member 83.A plurality of clrcum ferentially spaced apart reflectors 84 are securedto bracket members 85 fixed to the annulus 11 and are inclineddownwardly so as to project light rays downwardly and outwardly from thetower.

Preferably, these reflectors 84 are of frustoconical configuration. Aplurality of chains 86 are connected to hooks 81 which are fixed to theannulus T! and the upper ends of the chains 86 are provided with hooks88 engaging in openings 89 provided in a top plate 90 which is fixed tothe upper end of the bar 82.

The stationary lower section or member at a point adjacent the upper endthereof is provided with a sleeve 9| provided with a plurality ofoutwardly extending eyes or loops 82. These loops 92 are adapted toreceive towing or fastening devices so as to permit mounting of thecollapsed tower on a wheeled truck or trailer and then connecting apulling cable to the eyes or loops 52.

In the use and operation of this tower, the tower is initially set upfrom a collapsed position similar to that shown in Figure 7 byconnecting the braces 58 with the outer ends of the base legs 64 andwith the ears (3. The drum 23 may then be rotated by means of the crank25 soas to pull the intermediate section I! and the upper section I 8upwardly. As the ring 20 of the intermediate section I! passes the dog48, the dog 48 will engage beneath the ring 20 so that the intermediatesection or member i! will thereby be held against downward movement. Atthe same time the ring 22 passes the dog 54 andthis dog 54 engagesbeneath the ring 22 and holds the upper section or member 18 againstdownward movement. rior to the movement of the telescoping sections I?and Hi to an extended position the light supporting member 76 may bemounted on the upper end of the upper or section member I8. The sleeve18 may be fixed in any suitable manner to the upper end of the upper orsection member l8 so that the light supporting member 76 will not befree to rotate on the upper or section member l8.

When it is desired to collapse the tower, the releasing cords 53 and 59may be pulled downwardly so as to swing the dogs 48 and 54 to a releasedposition. The dog 21 may also be swung to a released position by meansof the handle 29.

The drum 23 may then be rotated to unwind the cord or cable 30 and thuspermit the telescoping standard sections I! and I8 to gravitatingly movedownwardly to a collapsed position. A light tower constructed accordingto this invention can be easily and quickly mounted in any suitablelocation and the base members 64 are of sufiicient length so as toprevent tipping over of the tower under the action of any wind. Ifdesired, suitable anchoring means may be provided to prevent the towerfrom tipping over under substantially high winds. The upper ring of eachpair of rings constitutes an abutment. The dogs 48, 54 in connectionwith the releasing cords 53, 59 respectively provide what may be termedlatching elements which coact with the rings providing the abutments.

What I claim is:

1. A collapsible tower comprising a base, a lower tubular member risingfrom said base, an intermediate tubular member slidable in said lowermember, an upper tubular member slidable in said intermediate member, awinding drum carried by said lower member, a flexible member engagingabout said drum, a sheave rotatably carried by said lower member abovethe upper end thereof, a sheave rotatably carried by and disposed withinsaid intermediate member in proximity to the lower end of the latter, asheave rotatably carried by said intermediate member above the upper endthereof, means fixedly securing one end of said flexible member to saidupper member, said flexible member being trained about each of saidsheaves whereby rotation of said drum in one direction will move saidintermediate and upper members to an extended position, and a pair ofspaced apart guiding rings fixed on the outer peripheries of saidintermediate and upper members.

2. A collapsible tower comprising a base, a lower tubular member risingfrom said base, an intermediate tubular member slidable in said lowermember, an upper tubular member slidable in said intermediate member, awinding drum carried by said lower member, a flexible member engagingabout said .drum, a sheave rotatably carried by said lower member abovethe upper end thereof, a sheave rotatably carried by and within saidintermediate member in proximity to the lower end thereof, a sheaverotatably carried by said intermediate member above the upper end of thelatter, means fixedly securing one end of said flexible member to andwithin said upper member, said flexible member being trained about eachof said sheaves whereby rotation of said drum in one direction willmove'said intermediate and upper members to an extended position, and apair of spaced apart guiding rings fixed on the outer peripheries of thesaid intermediate and upper members, each of said guiding rings havingat least one groove through which said flexible member is adapted toslidably engage. 3. A collapsible tower comprising a base, a standardrising upwardly from said base and formed of a stationary lower sectionsecured to the base, a tubular intermediate section disposed intelescopic relation with respect tosaid lower section and a tubularupper section disposed in telescopic relation with respect to saidintermediate section, a flexible winding element, said stationary andintermediate sections provided with means for respectively slidablyconnecting said element to and over the top of said stationary section,to and within the intermediate section adjacent the lower end of thelatter and to and over the top of said intermediate section, saidelement extending into said upper section through the lower portion ofthe body of the latter, means within the upper section for anchoring theupper end of said element to said upper section in proximity to thebottom of the latter, and a latchable revoluble winding means for saidelement arranged in the said lower section and providing on therevolving thereof in one direction for said element to extendsaidintermediate section upwardly with respect to said lower section andto extend said upper section upwardly with respect to said intermediatesection.

SIBERT G. STRA'I'IAN.

